The young Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai was the star of the show at Glamour magazine’s “Women of the Year” awards on Monday night.

Malala, the 16-year-old girl who came to the world’s attention last year after she was shot in the head by the Taliban for criticizing its restrictions on girls’ education, spoke about the power of education to uplift people, the Associated Press reports.

“I believe the gun has no power because a gun can only kill,” she said at the event in New York. “But a pen can give life.”

Fellow honoree Lady Gaga, who is featured on this months Glamour cover, said, “If I could forfeit my Glamour cover I would give it to Malala.”